I have a 2012 WK2 with the Hemi 6 speed and in Auto mode it is sluggish. I drive in Sport mode and it helps. Today, I slowed to wait for a couple of cars in front of me to make right turns. After decelerating, the Jeep seems sluggish to realize I want power back, so this time I tapped the auto stick left and hit the gas, I kept giving it gas and tapping right on the auto stick. Didn't have time to look at the display to see what gear I was in with each shift; (trying to keep my eye on the road). I just went by feel and this thing is a BEAST.

I can take it to 50+ in first gear easy. The other day on freeway while slowing I held stick to left, which will let it drop to the lowest safe gear and it went into first. Haven't done that since my '70 Olds with a 455. 5.7 Hemi not a race car engine, but makes one fast little SUV.

More speeds does not mean faster. reason for 8spds is mpg. Also 8spd is built by UAW employees rather than Mercedes employees in Germany

You have no idea what your talking about. First off GM and Ford don't even offer a V-8 in a Mid size SUV so I don't know how Chrysler needs to catch up with that. Second the 8 speed will make it faster. When they put this trans in the 300 and charger it shaved almost 2 seconds off the 0-60 times. Third I don't understand your point about where its built, do you think it would make the vehicle faster if it was built by mercedes? Its not even a mercedes trans its a ZF unit and the current 5 speed the 5.7 uses is a chrysler trans. The only mercedes trans in the mix is the 5 speed the 3.6 uses. This trans was also built in a chrysler plant up until this year. So I don't really understand what point was but its not correct whatever it is. The new 8 speed will make it faster smoother and more fuel efficent.

Just to add fuel to the fire, here in Oz we have both the latest CRD and the Hemi. The CRD has less power more torque, 5 speeds and the Hemi has more power less torque 6 speeds but the straight line acceleration to 100km/h (62 mph) is CRD 8.2 secs; Hemi 8.7 secs. I believe that the diff ratios are the same.
My heart says Hemi; my head says CRD!

To the op, who said Eco mode makes it idle roughly: Eco mode does not turn on while idling...you must be moving ten mph or faster for it to engage. Do you mean you are coasting faster than that and the engine is idling? Mine feels smooth.

You have no idea what your talking about. First off GM and Ford don't even offer a V-8 in a Mid size SUV so I don't know how Chrysler needs to catch up with that. Second the 8 speed will make it faster. When they put this trans in the 300 and charger it shaved almost 2 seconds off the 0-60 times. Third I don't understand your point about where its built, do you think it would make the vehicle faster if it was built by mercedes? Its not even a mercedes trans its a ZF unit and the current 5 speed the 5.7 uses is a chrysler trans. The only mercedes trans in the mix is the 5 speed the 3.6 uses. This trans was also built in a chrysler plant up until this year. So I don't really understand what point was but its not correct whatever it is. The new 8 speed will make it faster smoother and more fuel efficent.

My biggest complaint is not about power, but throttle response. It never does the same thing twice. Sometimes gobs of power, sometimes nothing but spongey pedal. My wife's Merc ML350 does the same thing....I Hate Drive By Wire